Norway coach Stale Solbakken says the battle between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane could prove decisive as both sides prepare for a high-stakes World Cup quarter-final in Miami.
MIAMI: Norway head coach Stale Solbakken said the contest between Erling Haaland and Harry Kane could play a key role when Norway face England in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Why is the Haaland-Kane battle attracting attention?
Solbakken described both forwards as their teams’ primary match-winners but emphasized that the game would ultimately be decided by collective performance.
“I think it’s Norway versus England but I don’t think it is a secret that Kane is the match winner number one for England and Haaland is the match winner number one for us,” Solbakken said at his pre-match press conference.
Haaland has scored seven goals in four appearances at his first major international tournament, helping Norway reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since returning after a 28-year absence.
England captain Harry Kane has scored six goals at the tournament, taking his overall World Cup tally to 14 as England advanced to a third consecutive World Cup quarter-final.
How are both teams approaching the match?
England are competing under head coach Thomas Tuchel, who was appointed to guide a talented squad to major tournament success following several near misses in recent years.
Norway, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations during their first major tournament in 26 years, including a 2-1 victory over Brazil in the Round of 16, where Haaland scored both goals.
Solbakken said his players were calm despite the significance of the occasion.
“Every game has been the most important for Norwegian football, especially in the knockout rounds, so this is the third time it is the most important game,” he said.
“I feel the players are in a relaxed but competitive mood.”
Does England face more pressure?
Solbakken acknowledged that England enter the match with greater expectations but said both teams would be focused once play begins.
“I think England has more pressure than us, but we also put pressure on our performance. When the game has started I don’t think the players think so much about the pressure when it’s eleven versus eleven,” he said.
He added that Norway’s run to the quarter-finals had united supporters across the country.
“I think the whole of Norway is looking forward to tomorrow. We’ve had some great nights in this World Cup before and it brings the country together,” Solbakken said.
Could the weather affect the quarter-final?
The match is scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. local time kickoff in Miami, where the U.S. National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory with “feels like” temperatures expected to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Solbakken said Norway had reduced the intensity of training sessions in recent days to ensure players remain fresh.
“We have trained very lightly. We haven’t done much hard work. We are with the tactical sessions, but in a lower tempo and not trained for long periods. So it’s all about being fresh tomorrow,” he said.
The Norway coach added that both teams would have to adapt to the same weather conditions during the quarter-final.